ISOLATED P.M. STORMS TODAY; MORE STORMS ON FRIDAY… A few pop-up thunderstorms will likely happen on this Thursday with the greatest chance of rain happening across inland areas of southwest Alabama. High temperatures today will be in the mid- to upper-80s across the region. Just like yesterday, there may be a stronger storm or two across the region, although widespread severe weather is NOT expected. We had two tornado warning polygons yesterday, but I will be very surprised if any storms can ramp up to that level today. The overall tornado risk remains very, very low. Any storms that become strong this afternoon or this evening will be capable of producing gusty winds and small hail. Let’s look at your forecast details.
STORMS POSSIBLE SATURDAY; DRIER SUNDAY… The first half of the weekend has a chance of storms on Saturday, particularly in the afternoon and evening hours. Highs on Saturday will be in the upper-80s. Rain and storms on Saturday will be in the form of pop-up thunderstorms that happen mainly across inland areas of south Alabama. Sunday looks to be drier with winds shifting from out of the north. Highs will be around 90° on Sunday with mostly sunny skies throughout the day.
DRIER PATTERN EARLY NEXT WEEK… Warm temperatures are here to stay, but it looks like we will get a break in the rain/storms early next week. Monday through Wednesday now look dry with mostly sunny skies expected each day. High temperatures will be in the upper-80s or low-90s with morning lows in the upper-60s.
TROPICAL STORM BERTHA: FORMED & DISSIPATED YESTERDAY… It is certainly not everyday that you get a tropical storm that forms and dissipates on the exact same day of the calendar. That is what happened yesterday with Tropical Storm Bertha. The system that was INVEST 91L developed a low-level circulation center right before it made landfall in South Carolina near Charleston yesterday morning around 8:30AM. The National Hurricane Center issued the first advisory around that time. Bertha moved onshore in South Carolina and quickly dissipated into a remnant low pressure area last evening. The last advisory was issued by the National Hurricane Center at 5PM, meaning the system was officially a named storm for approximately 10 hours. That may be a new record for the shortest tropical storm ever.
TROPICS NOW QUIET… The Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean won’t see any tropical development over the next 3-5 days. The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially kicked off a few weeks ago when Tropical Storm Arthur formed and moved just east of North Carolina. Tropical Storm Bertha moved inland yesterday and rapidly weakened. The next name on the tropical cyclone naming list is Cristobal. Some of the longer range models have hinted at the potential for tropical mischief in the western Caribbean and perhaps even the southern Gulf of Mexico in 2-3 weeks, but it is far too early to know any details on IF that will happen, WHEN specifically that will happen, or what locations would be affected (if any). That is certainly nothing to worry about, for now. I’ll keep watching trends and bring you the latest as needed.
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See all the details in your Thursday #rzw forecast video. Have a nice day!